They left, laughing, and Bonnie Blue took their place with the announcement that her feet no longer had feeling in them and she would be on the terrace with her shoes off when we got ready to go.

A loud noise outside made the combo's ineffective drumroll even more ineffective.

"What on God's earth?" Fred asked.

I knew the surprise Sister had planned. I grabbed Fred's hand and started toward the terrace. "Come on, Bonnie Blue."

We rushed outside to see a helicopter hovering over The Club. As we watched, it settled on the helipad on the roof.

"Is that the LifeSaver from Carraway Hospital?" Bonnie Blue asked.

"Of course not," I said. But her question was also answered by the bride and groom, who came from the ballroom followed by the members of the wedding as well as most of the guests. Debbie had changed into a short, pale-blue suit, but Henry was still in his formal wear.

"Good-bye!" everybody shouted as the newly weds

climbed the spiral stairs to the helicopter. "Good luck! Happy honeymoon!"

Debbie turned, looked, and threw her bouquet directly to Haley. Then they disappeared over the rooftop, and in a moment the helicopter rose into the air. We watched as it headed toward the airport across the valley.

"Wow," was all Bonnie Blue could say.

"Haley caught the bouquet," Fred said happily.

But I didn't say anything. I was too busy wiping the tears from my eyes so I could see the helicopter becoming smaller and smaller in the distance. Be happy, children. Be happy.

We dropped Bonnie Blue off at the church and headed home. I was tired, but pleasantly so. I reached over and patted Fred's leg. "You're a handsome man."

"Thank-you, ma'am. What brings this on?"

"Just thinking. And you're supposed to say, 'You're pretty good-looking yourself.' "

Fred covered my hand with his. "You are. You know I think so."

"I don't want any bottled blonde named Kelly bringing you food." I moved my hand farther up his leg and squeezed harder.

"Absolutely not. Scout's honor."

"Or selling you nuts and bolts." Farther and harder.

"Nuts and bolts are scratched."

"Or even smiling at you."

"No smiles! No smiles!" Fred was laughing and pushing against my hand, which had hit pay dirt. ' 'For God's sake, Patricia Anne, you're going to make me have a wreck."

"Just remember," I said, giving him a good squeeze.

"I promise!"

"Cross your heart."

"Move your hand, woman. The guy in that pickup can see right in here."

"We're so old, he'll just think his eyes are deceiving him." I gave him another tweak. "Don't be so self-conscious, Fred."

"Self-conscious? My God, Patricia Anne, you're groping me on the Red Mountain Expressway!"

"When you think about this later, and you will, be kind." I removed my hand slowly. "Now, what is this about you wanting to look up your family history?"

"What?" Fred looked confused.